posted on April 11, 2002 09:10:17 AM new
You wonderful folks are such a wealth of knowledge, I thought you could tell me what the currencies of these countries are or give me a link:
What currency is used by:
1. Russia
2. Europe
3. Asia
4. Africa
5. Middle East
6. South America
7. Australia
posted on April 11, 2002 09:40:49 AM new
Russia uses the Ruble and Australia the Australian Dollar but Europe is the only geographic area to use a common currency, the Euro.
The countries of the other areas all have their own currencies.
It does not matter much. The value of any of them is linked to a common element the US Dollar.
None of them are linked anymore to a real commodity. The US Dollar is backed by the full faith and credit of the American government which is based on their ability to extort wealth from the American taxpayer.
posted on April 11, 2002 09:49:29 AM new
gravid,
If the value of all currencies are linked or based on the US dollar, it's a wonder why all currencies haven't changed to a one-world currency.
posted on April 11, 2002 10:15:41 AM new
There are a number of countries that have adapted the US dollar as their official currency. Just about anywhere you go in the world you can spend US currency without converting it, although it is illegal some places to do that.
Most governments have this imaige they want to project of soverienty and independance, and having their own currency is just like having their own flag/mascot/national flower/national bird/official language and all that stuff.
posted on April 12, 2002 11:05:44 AM new
I forget how to make a link on this message board, but here's a website that will automatically do currency conversions. It lists all individual countries and the type of currency (i.e. Russian Rubles, British Pounds, etc.). It also (usually) shows pictures of the currency. Please note that a number of countries use "dollar" as their currency, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it's US dollars (Canadians use dollars, but they're completely different from the US).
www.travlang.com/money/
The following European countries converted to the Euro: Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. For more information on the Euro, here's their site (select your language from this page):
posted on April 12, 2002 11:42:52 AM new
Oops! I should have said that on the travlang site you can access the drop-down menu there to see the names of the countries and currencies, but you have to actually submit a currency conversion request in order to scroll down and see a picture of the money. Once you do a conversion, you can also click a button to print out a small chart that will fit in your wallet. It was a GREAT help to me when I went to several European countries last year--it was SO much easier than trying to convert things in my head!
posted on April 12, 2002 02:06:55 PM new
Hi alwaysbroke,
No, I'm not afraid of overseas travel. I flew to Frankfurt (Germany) on October 2 last year, and again in February of this year. The only precaution I took was not to pack any clothing that had English-language slogans or writing on it, and I also left my fanny pack at home (a sure mark of a tourist, as are athletic shoes!). A German friend of mine flew from Frankfurt to Los Angeles on 9/18, and other than a 4-hour check-in time, she said the flight was routine. I was actually more worried about my airline than I was about terrorism--I flew Swissair, and Oct. 2 was the day they declared bankruptcy and flew all their planes back to Switzerland! I didn't know until I got to Zurich if my connecting flight to Frankfurt was going to be honored, but everything worked out fine (except for a 1-day delay in getting my luggage).
I've also been on two domestic flights, one of them to NYC. I was staying with friends in Staten Island, and every time I went into Manhattan, the bus went right by ground zero. I had been there last summer (taking the same bus), and I always thought that I should take the time to either go up in the viewing tower or check out the shopping mall. It was a VERY strange experience going by the same street and seeing nothing but a hole. I cannot even begin to imagine how NY residents feel, and my heart goes out to them.
I don't have any intention of letting terrorists intimidate me. I may make minor modifications (arriving at the airport extra early, or not looking like a tourist overseas), but I am confident that our airplanes are safe. I do wish that all airports could have the incredible security that I experienced at the Frankfurt airport coming back to the US. EVERY passenger was interviewed for several minutes (with very searching questions) before being allowed to get to the ticket counter, and we went through two separate x-ray areas for our hand baggage, which included hand wands on all passengers and x-ray inspection of ALL shoes. The extra security may be burdensome to some, but I think it was far too lax (in this country) before 9/11.
Yeah, I guess I DO have a life outside of eBay. I get into spurts where I seem to do nothing else, but it's mostly just a fun hobby for me. And I like monitoring AuctionWatch just as much as I like doing eBay!
posted on April 12, 2002 03:09:05 PM new
Your travels sound romantic. If it were me, I would have to buy mementos of each new place I visited and take pictures. Except for Canada, I've never left the U.S. I enjoy watching documentaries of other countries. Good luck with your eBaying and trips.
lurking is not an option
posted on April 13, 2002 12:35:30 AM new
alwaysbroke,
Gee, I wish my travels WERE romantic! Any tall, dark, handsome Europeans out there who want to come with me next time???
It really helps to go in the off season. I only paid $475 round trip on USAir from San Diego to Germany, and I got double miles out of it! I also have friends in Germany who I use as sort of a "base camp," and that certainly helps with lodging expense.
I've been over there three times with groups, and the other times have been by myself. It was a bit scary the first time I went on my own, but I feel much more comfortable over there now.
The most unusual souvenir I ever brought back was this last time. They sell Pringles potato chips in Germany, and while I was at the Munich train station I saw a display with a "limited edition" flavor....curry! Boy, were they good!!! I found a place close to where I was staying that had them at half the price, so I brought back 8 tubes of them! My whole family really enjoyed them.
posted on April 13, 2002 03:55:55 PM new
Thanks, alwaysbroke, but I almost always fly Southwest whenever I travel in the US. Their fares are wonderful (and it helps that my far-flung family happens to live in cities where Southwest flies).
